Arlington Advocate Article 6/13/02

Robbins Farm Park playground projects cuts explored

The Arlington Advocate
Thursday, June 13, 2002

Other items in the plan that
may take a backseat to the play-
ground, tennis court removal,
and ball field renovation,
include using a fence and gran-
ite posts to keep vehicles off
said Zick, adding that $300,000
would not be enough to repli-
cate the current playground.
"We now see that the play-
ground might not be quite as
elaborate as we first envi-
sioned," said Vitters Tuesday,
"We might have to trim back on
the playground and we're work-
ing with the Friends to do that."
The Friends of Robbins Farm
Park suggested last Thursday
that members could raise funds
for playground equipment, in
addition to the town's $300,000.
The Park and Recreation
Commission plans to spend
$300,000 on the playground,
$100,000 to remove the tennis
court and beautify the top of the
hill, and $75,000 for design and
contingency costs as phase one
of a three-phase project,
Phase two includes rehabili-
tating the ball field.
Other items in the plan that
may take a backseat to the play-
ground, tennis court removal,
and ball field renovation,
include using a fence and gran-
ite posts to keep vehicles off
Robbins Farm Park; a new bas-
ketball court; a revamped spot
that would serve as an Qverlook
to the Boston skyline; and possi-
bly flooding a portion of the
park in the winter for skating.
"Needless to say, a lot of work
is needed here," said Zick.
One neighbor, Bruce Whetle,
did not like the idea of spending
so much in the first phase for a
new playground, calling it a
"shocking luxury" and adding
that the playground has
received work in the past while
the rest of the park has not.

He said the park is 11 acres
and the park's master plan
might "be out of balance with
financial realties in this commu-
nity."
"What I'm hearing tonight is
that once again the focus is on a
relatively small portion of the
entire farm," he said. "Mean-
while, we wait until July 4 before
the town mows the lawn."
Park and Recreation commis-
sioner Leslie Mayer said the
playground needs work first
because of safety issues, includ-
ing children getting spinters
from the wooden play equip-
ment.
Though playground users
would like to see construction as
soon as possible, Vitters told th
Advocate Tuesday that the town
will push back work at the park
until the spring of 2003 as a way
to save money, instead of rush-
ing to start work in the fall.
"I think it will help financial-
ly. I know people are anxious to
get it done, but I've talked to the
Friends committee and they
understand," said Vitters.

Friends group offers
to raise money

By Les G. Masterson
STAFF WRITER

The prospect of a more than
$300,000 playground project at
Robbins Farm Park is leaving
Park and Recreation commis-
sioners and the Friends of Rob-
bins Farm Park looking at ways
to cut the project.
"The goal is to come as close
to the $300,000 as we can," said
Park and Recreation Commis-
sion Chairman Donald Vitters. .
"It appears that we're not going
to be able to achieve that unless
we don't do some things... We're
looking at ways to tighten the
budget."
Jill Ochs Zick of Carol R.
Johnson Associates, Inc., pre-
sented a plan last Thursday,
which included a playground
project in excess of $300,000.
"We realize that this design in
all likelihood is more money
than what is available to us,"
said Zick, adding that $300,000
would not be enough to repli-
cate the current playground.
"We now see that the play-
ground might not be quite as
elaborate as we first envi-
sioned," said Vitters Tuesday,
"We might have to trim back on
the playground and we're work-
ing with the Friends to do that."
The Friends of Robbins Farm
Park suggested last Thursday
that members could raise funds
for playground equipment, in
addition to the town's $300,000.
The Park and Recreation
Commission plans to spend
$300,000 on the playground,
$100,000 to remove the tennis
court and beautify the top of the
hill, and $75,000 for design and
contingency costs as phase one
of a three-phase project,
Phase two includes rehabili-
tating the ball field.

HOME
Back to Article Menu
Robbins Farm Park playground projects cuts explored
The Arlington Advocate Thursday, June 13, 2002	Other items in the plan that may take a backseat to the play- ground, tennis court removal, and ball field renovation, include using a fence and gran- ite posts to keep vehicles off said Zick, adding that $300,000 would not be enough to repli- cate the current playground. "We now see that the play- ground might not be quite as elaborate as we first envi- sioned," said Vitters Tuesday, "We might have to trim back on the playground and we're work- ing with the Friends to do that." The Friends of Robbins Farm Park suggested last Thursday that members could raise funds for playground equipment, in addition to the town's $300,000. The Park and Recreation Commission plans to spend $300,000 on the playground, $100,000 to remove the tennis court and beautify the top of the hill, and $75,000 for design and contingency costs as phase one of a three-phase project, Phase two includes rehabili- tating the ball field. Other items in the plan that may take a backseat to the play- ground, tennis court removal, and ball field renovation, include using a fence and gran- ite posts to keep vehicles off Robbins Farm Park; a new bas- ketball court; a revamped spot that would serve as an Qverlook to the Boston skyline; and possi- bly flooding a portion of the park in the winter for skating. "Needless to say, a lot of work is needed here," said Zick. One neighbor, Bruce Whetle, did not like the idea of spending so much in the first phase for a new playground, calling it a "shocking luxury" and adding that the playground has received work in the past while the rest of the park has not.	He said the park is 11 acres and the park's master plan might "be out of balance with financial realties in this commu- nity." "What I'm hearing tonight is that once again the focus is on a relatively small portion of the entire farm," he said. "Mean- while, we wait until July 4 before the town mows the lawn." Park and Recreation commis- sioner Leslie Mayer said the playground needs work first because of safety issues, includ- ing children getting spinters from the wooden play equip- ment. Though playground users would like to see construction as soon as possible, Vitters told th Advocate Tuesday that the town will push back work at the park until the spring of 2003 as a way to save money, instead of rush- ing to start work in the fall. "I think it will help financial- ly. I know people are anxious to get it done, but I've talked to the Friends committee and they understand," said Vitters.
Friends group offers to raise money
By Les G. Masterson STAFF WRITER

The prospect of a more than $300,000 playground project at Robbins Farm Park is leaving Park and Recreation commis- sioners and the Friends of Rob- bins Farm Park looking at ways to cut the project. "The goal is to come as close to the $300,000 as we can," said Park and Recreation Commis- sion Chairman Donald Vitters. . "It appears that we're not going to be able to achieve that unless we don't do some things... We're looking at ways to tighten the budget." Jill Ochs Zick of Carol R. Johnson Associates, Inc., pre- sented a plan last Thursday, which included a playground project in excess of $300,000. "We realize that this design in all likelihood is more money than what is available to us," said Zick, adding that $300,000 would not be enough to repli- cate the current playground. "We now see that the play- ground might not be quite as elaborate as we first envi- sioned," said Vitters Tuesday, "We might have to trim back on the playground and we're work- ing with the Friends to do that." The Friends of Robbins Farm Park suggested last Thursday that members could raise funds for playground equipment, in addition to the town's $300,000. The Park and Recreation Commission plans to spend $300,000 on the playground, $100,000 to remove the tennis court and beautify the top of the hill, and $75,000 for design and contingency costs as phase one of a three-phase project, Phase two includes rehabili- tating the ball field.